USA > Ohio > Portage County > History of Portage County, Ohio > Part 75
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WILLIAM J. WILLSEY, farmer, P. O. Edinburgh, was born in Fulton, Schoharie Co., N. Y., October 3, 1823; son of Henry T. and Orpha Willsey, natives of New York, who came to this county in 1840, thence removing to Ash- tabula County in 1853, where they remained until the father's deatb, January 6, 1854. The mother subsequently married William Johnson and died March 28, 1884, at the residence of her son, A. V. Willsey, Atwater, this county. Our subject was married October 6, 1853, to Samantha L. Clover, born in Deerfield Township, this county, July 3, 1833, daughter of Nathan and Hannah Clover, natives of Pennsylvania, who moved to this county in 1827 and here remained until their death. Mr. Clover died in 1872, and liis widow in 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Willsey are the parents of one child-Cecelia L. A., horn September 30, 1854, wife of Dix Gilbert. Our subject has been a teacher and farmer; owns 1222 acres of land; is a Justice of the Peace and has filled most of the town- ship offices. Mrs. Willsey is a member of the Disciples Church.
HENRY T. WILLSON, farmer, P. O. Edinburgh, was born in the State of New York, November 22, 1820; son of David and Rebecca Willson, former a native of Coxsackie, N. Y., born in 1790, latter a native of New York. They were married in New York and came to this county in 1833, settling and remaining here until their death. Our subject was married the first time, in 1842, to Martha Hancock, born in Michigan in 1826, died in 1865. After her death Mr. Willson married, August 26, 1867, Mary Bartly, born in 1832 in Edinburg, this county. Our subject is the father of seven children, five of whom . are now living: Ellen, Omar O., John T., George E. and Alice. Mr. Willson is a carpenter by trade, but of late years has been engaged in farm- ing. He owns eighty-one acres of nice land in Edinburg Township; where he and his family reside.
E. C. YOUNG, farmer, P. O. Edinburgh, was born in Williamstown, Berk- shire Co., Mass., May 19, 1809; son of John and Clarissa Young, natives of Massachusetts, who remained there until their death. Our subject came to this county November 30, 1831, and afterward returned to Massachusetts, where he was married April 26, 1836, to Maria H. Goodrich, born in that State January, 1813, daughter of Aaron and Affable Goodrich, who died in New York State. Mr. and Mrs. Young are the parents of five children, three of whom are now living: Clarissa R., Edgar J. and Sarah M. The deceased are Mary E. and Martha. Mrs. Young died August 1, 1846. After her death
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our subject married, September 13, 1853, Betsey M. Goodrich, a sister of his first wife, born in Massachusetts September 29, 1829. To this union have been born two children: George E. and Affa. Mr. Young, who has always been a farmer, owns sixty-five acres of land where he and his family reside.
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.
FRED L. ALLEN, druggist, Kent. This gentleman, who is propri- ator of a well-conducted establishment for the sale of medicines and the compounding of prescriptions, has been engaged in this special branch in Kent since 1872, and has won the confidence and esteem of the citizens by his uniform courtesy and strict attention to their wants. He has a carefully selected stock of pure and fresh drugs and proprietary medicines of standard reputation, and an excellent assortment of toilet perquisites and perfumery, besides carrying a large stock of paints, oils, dye-stuffs, etc. His attractive store is situated in the Carver Block, in the business center of the town, and has a depth of sixty-five feet with a width of twenty-four. The compounding of physicians' prescriptions and family recipes is a feature in which Mr. Allen takes special aim to excel, and the stock is bought only from reliable houses. Mr. Allen was born in Akron, Ohio, July 10, 1848, a son of Asa S. and Electa (Arms) Allen. His father is a native of Martha's Vineyard, Mass., and is now a practicing physician in Berea, Ohio. Our subject was educated in the Berea schools. During the late war of the Rebellion he served two years in the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, receiving an honorable discharge at the expiration of service. In 1866 he located in Kent, Ohio, and served an apprenticeship of three years in the drug business, when he became a partner in the business with Dr. J. W. Shively, with whom he was connected for two years. He then embarked in the trade for himself and has been very successful. He is a member of the G. A. R. and is a F. & A. M.
ADAM BAES, retail liquor dealer, Kent, was born in Port Washington, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, June 8, 1857. He was reared and educated in his native town, and worked at the baker's trade from fourteen to sixteen years of age in New Philadelphia. He served in liquor stores of that place and Kent (where he came in 1873) up to 1882, in which year he embarked in the liquor business on his own account, and has had a successful trade. He was married, August 17, 1879, to Catherine, daughter of George and Catherine Ginther, of Stow, Summit Co., Ohio, by whom he had one child-Minnie. Mr. Baes is a thor- ough business man. In politics he is a Democrat.
NELSON L. BARBER, farmer, P. O. Kent, was born in Brimfield Town- ship, this county, June 3, 1825, son of Lyman and Julia (Landon) Barber, natives of Goshen, Litchfield Co., Conn. Lyman Barber first came to Ohio about 1819 and located at Cuyahoga Falls, then a part of this county. He was a carpenter by trade and worked there for a Mr. Griswold, building oil mills, remaining about a year. In 1820 he returned to Connecticut and mar- ried, and with an ox team and horse ahead, made the journey back to Ohio, settling in Brimfield Township, this county, on the place now known as the
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Cogswell farm, where he lived two years. He then sold out, bought in the northeast part of the township and there lived until within a few years of his death. He worked at his trade in early days and had his clearing done, pay- ing for the same in carpenter work. He had four children: Emily (deceased), Myron, Nelson L., and an infant daughter (deceased). Lyman Barber was a worthy citizen, and by his industry and perseverance accumulated a large property. He died in 1864 at the age of sixty-nine years. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm in Brimfield Township, this county, and is still the owner of the old family homestead. His early education was received in the district school and when twenty years of age he attended a select school in Kent (taught by Rev. Mr. Bates) one term, after which he passed an examination and taught school three months the following winter in Brimfield at $12 per month, and, as was customary in those days, "boarded round." He then attended school another term in Kent, under the instruction of Frank B. Pond (author of the Ohio Pond Bill), and the winter following taught school in the Hart District at $14 per month. He afterward attended the Twinsburg Academy under the instruction of Deacon Bissell one term. He has taught school in all fourteen terms, but during the most of his life he has followed his present occupation, that of farming. On March 15, 1851, Mr. Barber closed his school and returned home, cut timber for a house 16x22 and hauled the timber to building site, raised his house and finished it off ready to be occupied. On April 21, same year. he was married, and on day following (Friday), he moved, and the next Monday he commenced plowing for his spring crops. Our subject did all the work with his own hands, except a half day's help from his neighbors at "raising." The partner of his choice was Sarah, daughter of John and Margaret (Matiers) Berkheimer, of Franklin, this county, whose father was one of the company who started the first glass works in Franklin Mills. The issue of this union was four children: Emmet N., John L. (deceased), George M. and Jessie. Mr. Barber was a resident of Brimfield Township up to 1869, when he removed to the farm in Franklin Township where he now resides. His wife died in September, 1881, at the age of forty-eight. Mr. Barber is now serving his fourth term as Justice of the Peace. In politics he was formerly a Democrat, but since the breaking out of the Rebellion has been one of the stanch supporters of the Republican party.
CHARLES H. BARBER, Postmaster, Kent, was born in East Windsor, Conn., August 9, 1839, son of Henry and Emily T. (Osborn) Barber, and was reared in his native town, where he received a common school education. He was a soldier in the late war of the Rebellion, enlisting August, 1862, in Company G, Twenty-fifth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, and was in the battle of Irish Bend, La., was wounded at the siege of Port Hudson, June 14, 1863, when he lost his left arm, and was honorably discharged August 26, 1863. He then returned home, where he remained until January, 1865, when he located in Kent and engaged with Day, Williams & Co. as traveling sales- man, for whom he acted thirteen and one-half years. In 1879 he was engaged as time-keeper in the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad shops, which position he held up to November, 1883. In October, 1883, he was appointed Postmaster of Kent by President Arthur, taking possession of the office November 11. He was married in July, 1867, to Clementina, daughter of Edward and Clementine (Janes) Parsons, of Brimfield Township, this county, by whom he has had six children: William H., Edward P., Charles N. (deceased), Clementina J., Frank W. and Arthur O. Mr. and Mrs. Barber are members
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of the Congregational Church. He is an active member of the G. A. R. In politics he is a Republican.
GEORGE BARNETT, miller, Kent, was born in the County of Sussex, England, July 7, 1821; son of John and Susan (Roberts) Barnett. He was reared and educated and learned the miller's trade in his native county, where he served an apprenticeship of three and a half years, after which he worked as a journeyman in Epsom, Barnstead, Banbury and Elhialsham. £
In 1851 he came to America, locating at Cuyahoga Falls, where he worked in Van Tine's mill for nearly a year. He then settled in Kent and worked in the Kent Flouring Mills up to 1865, when he rented the mills, and with the exception of three years, has been proprietor up to the present time. This mill was built by Marvin Kent, and is one of the best and most substantial in the State, having four run of stone with a capacity of 1,500 barrels of flour per week. Mr. Barnett was married, February 25, 1866, to Lucina, daughter of Jona- than Thorngate, of Stowe Township, Summit Co., Ohio, by whom he has two children: Fanny and Clara Belle. He has served two terms as member of the Council of Kent; is one of the directors of the co-operative store; in pol- itics a Democrat.
WILLIAM BASSETT, JR., farmer, P. O. Kent, was born in Ravenna Township, this county, May 22, 1829; son of William and Eloisa (Welton) Bassett, natives of Oxford, New Haven Co., Conn., former born September 18, 1794, latter Angust 4, 1798. They came to this county in 1817 and located in Rootstown Township where they lived about eight months, then moved to Franklin Township and settled on the place known as the Pritchard farm. They afterward exchanged the farm for the property now occupied by the mother of our subject, which was then considered the poorest portion of the township. The farm comprises 263 acres of land, 200 of which are under cultivation. William Bassett, Sr., was a veteran of the war of 1812, Captain of the militia in Franklin Township in early times, and generally known as Capt. Bassett. After his settlement in Franklin Township he taught a night school for two months, said to be the first school in the township. He had four children: William, Jr., Harriet (deceased), Edward W., in Ravenna, and Horace P., in Warren. He was a thorough-going, pushing business man and at the time of the building of the Ohio Canal he contracted to furnish the stone for the locks. He died October 21, 1878, at the age of eighty-four; his widow, aged eighty-six, still resides on the old homestead. Our subject was reared in Franklin Township, this county, where he received a common school education and has always followed farming as an occupation. He was mar- ried, May 9, 1854, to Esther A., daughter of Deacon Barber Clark, of Frank- lin Township, this county, who died May 8, 1879, at the age of forty-eight years. Mr. Bassett is a member of the Congregational Church, with which he has been identified since 1859. He is a F. & A. M .; in politics a Repub- lican.
JOSEPH BETHEL, dealer in stoves, tinware, etc., Kent, was born in England, February 23, 1827; son of Joseph and Sarah (Paylin) Bethel, who immigrated to America in 1828 and located in the State of New York but sub- sequently removed to Summit County, Ohio, where they lived and died. They had seven children: Joseph; Ann (Mrs. Alexander Ritchie); Mary (Mrs. Perry Prentiss); Cummings; Elizabeth (Mrs. Nighman); Julia (Mrs. Call), and Fred- erick. The subject of this sketch located in Franklin Mills (now Kent) in 1850, and embarked in the stove and house-furnishing business with L. C. Dodge & Co., of Ravenna. This partnership continued up to 1857, when they
John Hartzell
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retired, Mr. Bethel succeeding to the business, in which he has continued up to the present time. He was married, May 22, 1850, to Clara Mills, of Cuya- hoga Falls, by whom he has three children living: Louie P., Carrie (Mrs. Preston Spaulding) and Harry. Mr. Bethel is one of the live business men of Kent, and has served as a member of the Council two terms with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the people. In politics he is a Republican.
BUEL BLAKE (deceased) was born in Cornwall, Conn., in September, 1810; son of James and Dorcas (Buel) Blake. He was reared on a farm in his native town, where he received a common school education, and was mar- ried, in May, 1841, to Sally E., daughter of William and Polly (Lewis) Tut- tle, of Milton, Litchfield Co., Conn. By this union there were four children: Lewis J., Cicero, Julia C. and William. Mr. Blake came to Portage County, Ohio, in 1857, and located in Franklin Township, where he engaged in farm- ing and here he resided until his death, which was caused by his falling from his barn, June 25, 1867. He was one of the representative farmers and citi- zens of Franklin. He was a Republican in politics. He never held nor sought office.
CHRISTIAN BOETTLER, farmer, P. O. Kent, was born in Greene Town- ship, Summit Co., Ohio, March 14, 1836; son of Frederick and Margaretta (Zimmerman) Boettler, natives of Germany, who settled in Greene Township, Summit Co., Ohio., in 1834, and who were the parents of nine children: Jacob; Mary A., wife of F. Krumroy; Margretta, wife of George Humbert; Diana, wife of Adam Fulmer; Elizabeth, wife of Peter C. Frisch; Catherine, wife of Adam Kroehley; Frederick; Christian and Daniel. Frederick Boettler died in 1849, his widow in May, 1883. Our subject was reared in his native town- ship, where he resided until he was twenty-four years of age, when he located in Greene Township, Summit Co., Ohio, for four years, after that in Brim- field, Portage Co., Ohio, and there lived eight years. He then resided in Can- ton, Ohio, one year, and returned to Brimfield Township, this county, where he resided until 1870, when he located in Franklin Township, and has here resided ever since. Mr. Boettler has always been engaged in farming and is owner of the well-known Arvin Olin farm, but resides in one of the finest sub- urban residences of Kent. He was married, December 14, 1860, to Ann M., daughter of Peter and Catherine (Essick) Pontius, of Stark County, Ohio, by whom he has one child-Charley A. Boettler. Mr. and Mrs. Boettler are members of the German Reformed Church. In politics he is a Democrat.
PHILIP BOOSINGER, of Kent, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, November 21, 1814, son of John and Barbara (Willyard) Boosinger. His father was born in eastern Virginia, March 17, 1785, son of Conrad Boosinger, a native of Germany, who settled in Ravenna Township, Portage Co., Ohio, in 1800, where he cleared and improved a farm. In 1809 he removed to Tallmadge, Summit County, where he resided until his death. He had twelve children, four sons and eight daughters. John Boosinger was married in 1813, and settled in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he resided three years. In June, 1816, he settled in Brimfield Township, one and a half miles west of Brimfield Center, the first permanent settler in the township, where he resided until his death at the advanced age of ninety years. He had eight children, five sons and three daughters. The subject of this sketch, who was reared in Brimfield Township, receiving a limited education in the com- mon schools, is a wheelwright, carriage and wagon-maker by trade. On reach- ing maturity he worked for four years as a journeyman in Pennsylvania and Wayne County, Ohio. In 1843 he returned to Brimfield, embarked in busi- ness for himself, and there married in October of the same year Miss Mary A.,
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daughter of Conrad Neff. The issue of this union was five children, two of whom are now living: Ellis A. and Rhoda A. (Mrs. Joseph Whitehead.) Mr. Boosinger worked at his trade in Brimfield until 1862, when he removed to Kent and embarked in the boot and shoe business, in which he was engaged about seven years. In politics he was formerly a Democrat, but at the break- ing out of the Rebellion joined the Republican party, with which he has since acted.
GEORGE BRADLEY, retired farmer, P. O. Kent, was born in Lee, Berk- shire Co., Mass., February 20, 1815, son of Stephen and Lybia (Cook) Bradley. He was reared and educated in his native town, and came to Hud- son, Ohio, in 1834, where he worked on a farm, by the month, for one year. In 1835 he settled in the southwestern part of Streetsboro Township, clearing and improving a farm on which he resided up to 1877, when he removed to Kent, where he now resides. He has been twice married, his first wife being Paulina, daughter of Rufus and Sally (Hall) Peck, who settled in Streetsboro, this county, in 1836, and the issue of this union was seven children: Charles; Emily, wife of George Nyman; Clara, wife of Samuel Foster; Paulina (deceased); Susan, wife of James Olin; Clarinda, wife of E. V. Chamberlain; William (deceased). Mr. Bradley was married, January 20, 1878, to his present wife, Almira, widow of Buell Whitney, and daughter of Joseph B. and Ruth (Olin) Stratton, who settled in Franklin Township, in 1837. During his residence in Streetsboro Township, our subject served as Township Trustee two terms. In politics he is a Democrat. Mrs. Bradley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
WARREN BURT, farmer, P. O. Kent, was born in Southampton, Mass., August 6, 1806, son of Martin and Philomela (Robinson) Burt, who settled in Franklin Township, this county, in 1821, locating in the vicinity of Brady's Lake, where they lived and died. They had six children: Warren, Martin, Horace (deceased), Dorcas C. (Mrs. Rodney Wing), Philomela (Mrs. Ormsby) and Electa (Mrs. Samuel Wales.) Our subject received a limited common school education, and in 1828 settled on the farm now owned by Alonzo John- son, where he lived until 1863, when he removed to his present place. He was married, November 30, 1829, to Lydia, daughter of Selah and Pruanna (Phillips) Shirtliff, who came from Hampden County, Mass., to Franklin Town- ship, this county, in 1819. By this union there are two children: Louisa A. (Mrs. T. M. Sawyer), of Akron, and Selah W. Mr. and Mrs. Burt are mem- bers of the Disciples Church, with which they have been identified upward of sixty years. In politics Mr. Burt is a Republican.
SELAH W. BURT, farmer, P. O. Kent, was born in Franklin Township, this county, June 15, 1835; son of Warren and Lydia (Shurtliff) Burt. His paternal grandparents, Martin and Philamela (Robinson) Burt, formerly of Hampshire County, Mass., settled in Franklin Township in 1821, and his maternal grand- parents, Selah and Pruanna (Phillips) Shurtliff, formerly of Hampden, Mass., settled in Franklin Township in 1819. Our subject was reared in Franklin Township, and was educated in the common schools and Hiram College. He has been twice married. His first wife was Sarah Stowe, of Franklin Township, this county. May 24, 1863, he married his present wife, Susan. daughter of Joseph B. and Ruth (Olin) Stratton, of Franklin. The issue of this union is one child -Cora M. Mr. Burt is now serving his eleventh term as Trustee of Franklin Township. He is a F. & A. M .; in politics a Republican.
CHRISTIAN C. CACKLER, farmer, Kent, was born in Franklin Town- ship, this county, August 17, 1836, son of Christian and Theresa (Nighman) Cackler, who settled here in 1816. His father was born June 27, 1791, in
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Washington County, Penn., seventh child and second son of Christian and Julia Ann Cackler, and came to Hudson, Ohio, with his parents in 1804, and in 1807 was bound out until he was twenty-one, to help provide for the family. The war of 1812 breaking out about the time he finished his servitude, he volunteered, serving two years, and was in Perry's victorious engagement Sep- tember 10, 1813. He was married August 10, 1814, to Theresa Nighman, a native of York County, Penn., born November 23, 1791, daughter of Adam and Betsey Nighman, who settled in Franklin Township, this county, about 1809. The issue of this union was twelve children: George, Almon (deceased), Polly, Elizabeth (deceased), Harriet (deceased), Edward and Edwin (twins, the former deceased), Caroline (deceased), Jacob, Julian, Delanah and Christian C. Christian Cackler settled on the farm now occupied by our subject Jan- uary 1, 1816. He ran in debt for fifty acres of land at $3.50 per acre, and did not get his deed for seventeen years. He began to clear his land by cut- ting out the small timber which, together with the old logs, he burned, after which he girdled the standing timber, and split his rails. Having no teams, he carried them on his back to the line of his fences. Having cleared and fenced his farm, he hired a man to do his plowing, planted his corn, and worked it entirely with a hoe. He died July 5, 1878; his wife, April 23, 1869. Christian C. Cackler, our subject, resides on the old family homestead, where he was born and reared. He was married August 10, 1862, to Lizzie Bentley, born in New York City, January 29, 1843, a daughter of John and Mary (Lindsey) Bentley, the father a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, the mother of London, England, and who have been residents of Kent, this county, since 1857. To this union were born four children (two deceased), two now living: John and Lula. Mr. Cackler is one of the representative citizens and farmers of Franklin Township. In politics he is a Democrat.
W. I. CARIS, dentist, Kent, was born in Rootstown Township, this county, September 4, 1852, son of Samuel and Rachel (Ward) Caris, natives of Rootstown. His paternal grandfather, John Caris, a native of Cumberland County, Penn., and who, with his brother Frederick, settled in Rootstown Township, this county, in 1802, was a wheelwright by trade, though in the latter part of his life he was engaged in farming. He cleared and improved two farms in Rootstown Township. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving as First Lieutenant of his company, and was taken prisoner at Hull's surrender, but escaped the same day. He was the first Justice of the Peace of Rootstown, which office he held about fifteen years. He had eight children: George, deceased; Frederick; Michael; Susan, Mrs. Wilson Fallon; Samuel; Lycurgus V .; Mary (Mrs. James Likens), and Henry. The maternal grand- father, Mr. Ward, was also an early settler of Rootstown Township, where he lived and died. Samuel Caris, father of our subject, was reared in Rootstown Township, where he always resided, engaged in farming. He had two chil- dren: Belle E., Mrs. I. L. Herriff, and William I. Our subject was reared in Rootstown Township, and educated in the common schools. When twenty years of age he located in Kent, where he studied dentistry two years with G. A. Case. In 1873 he went to Huntington, W. Va., where he practiced his profession for one year, but in the fall of 1874 returned to Kent and opened an office, where he has been in active practice to the present time. In 1874 he became a member of the Ohio State Dental Association, and is still an act- ive member. He was married, March 25, 1876, to Roxy S., daughter of Luther H. and Tama (Ingersoll) Parmelee, of Kent, Ohio. Dr. Caris is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P., of Kent, of the Akron Encampment, and Temple No. 5, of Akron, Ohio. He was elected Clerk of Franklin Township and the
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corporation of Kent, in 1878, which position he filled for six consecutive years. He was appointed Mayor of Kent, Ohio, November 6, 1883, and in the spring of 1884 was re-elected. In politics he is independent.
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